Women's Track & Field February 14, 2015

Two More Records Fall In Final Day Of Big Meet

Women’s DMR, Men’s 400m records fall Saturday

Results

Allendale, Mich. – Two more school records fell in an outstanding second day of action for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee track & field teams at the GVSU Big Meet inside the Kelly Family Sports Center Saturday.

Milwaukee posted two school records, three all-time top-10 marks and 13 personal records in another great showing this indoor season.

"What a way to start the day," Milwaukee head coach Pete Corfeld said. "The women getting the school record to start things off really set the tone. It was cool to be the team that did just as much damage at the meet on day two as we did on day one in terms of wins, PRs and records. This was a very strong showing at a quality meet this weekend."

The day started with a bang. Dana Clausen, Anuli Okonkwo, Jessie Laabs and Leah Holmes combined to shatter the school DMR relay record to start the day. The group crossed the line at 11:54.66, crushing the previous school record of 12:11.40 set back in 2011.

With one school record already in the books, the Panthers weren't done there. Marquis Johnson broke the men's 400m record with an outstanding time of 47.37 to win the event in the 65-man field and blow away the previous Milwaukee record set by Tyler Bucholz set in 2008. This is Johnson's third school record of the day, after helping break the 4x400m relay record just one day earlier.

Johnson's time also now equals the 51^st-fastest time in the entire nation.

"Marquis is a great inspiration and a leader of this team," Corfeld said. "He's been a mission since day one this season and we're very proud to see him reach these great heights."

Also in the event, Jordan Schmidt, who was also a part of Friday's record-setting relay team, crossed the line at 49.19 for a new personal record to win his heat. Kyle Becker also won his heat at 50.41, just ahead of Taylor Koss with a PR time of 50.59.

In high jump, freshman Rylee Anderson etched her name in the Panther record book with a career-best leap of 1.65m (5-5). That tied for the top height on the day and now stands tied for eighth all-time in UWM history.

On the men's side, Andrew Keeler and Nick Hughes tied for third overall after clearing 1.95m (6-4 ¾) out of the 18-man field. Keeler also did well in triple jump, reaching 12.99m (42-7 ½) for fourth.

Freshman Melissa Kirchoff had a great showing in the 60m hurdles, posting a PR time of 9.06 second in prelims, just missing the school's all-time top ten list, before taking seventh in finals.

Milwaukee had four of the top finishers in the women's 200m. Kate Novacek and Alisha Harper each won their heats and tied for 10^th at 25.80, both equaling career bests. Sherice Hewett (25.82) was 13^th on the day, just ahead of Michelle Garner (26.05) at 18^th.

On the men's side, Alex Hatlevig won his heat and led the way at 22.48 for seventh overall in the field of 66.

In the 800m, Marcus Paulson led the way for UWM at 1:55.73 for 11^th, one spot ahead of Jeff Pigg at 1:55.81.

Adriana Gutierrez posted a lifetime-best time of 10:59.55 in the 3K to lead all Milwaukee runners.

Freshman Bryzena Santos came in third overall in long jump after a leap of 5.23m (17-2), just shy of her season best.

In triple jump, Kirchoff led the young group of Panthers at 11.28m (37-0 ¼) for fourth place overall. Alize Souter was sixth at 11.01m (36-1 ½).

"This was a good meet but we still have more work to do," Corfeld said. "Right now, it's time to get home, get healthy and get ready for conference. It's good to see things come together and between now and the end of the month for conference we're preparing for that. I'm looking forward to it, the team's looking for ward to it and the team is prepared well. It should be an exciting meet."

Milwaukee returns home for its final true home meet of the year, hosting the annual Panther Tune-Up this Friday from the Klotsche Center.

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